Abstract
Purpose::
To determine the effect of single dose topical applications of various combinations of triamcinolone acetonide, LMWH and doxycycline on the inhibition of corneal neovascularization in rats.
Methods::
Chemical cauterization of cornea in 40 eyes of 40 rats was performed by using silver nitrate/ potassium nitrate sticks. The animals were divided into 5 groups. Topical instillation of 10 mg/ml doxycycline with 5mg/ml Low Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH); 10 µg/ml of triamcinolone acetonide with 10 mg/ml doxycycline; 10 µg/ml of triamcinolone acetonide doxycycline with 5 mg/ml LMWH; 10 µg/ml triamcinolone acetonide with 10 mg/ml doxycycline and 5 mg/ml LMWH; and saline alone was performed 3 times prior to cauterization and 3 times after cauterization. The drops were applied at 5 minute intervals. The animals were then observed for seven days. Slit lamp photography was performed to determine the percent area of cornea covered by neovascularization and also covered by scar in each group. The means of different groups were compared to find any significant (p< 0.05) difference with the control and any difference between the groups. At the end of the experiment the animals were euthanized and the eyes were enucleated for evaluation by light microscopy.
Results::
The means of percent area of corneal neovascularization in doxycycline with LMWH; triamcinolone acetonide with doxycycline; triamcinolone acetonide with LMWH; triamcinolone acetonide with doxycycline and LMWH and finally the saline groups were 24.4± 30.6, 34.5 ± 21.9, 57.3 ± 24.9; 10.0 ± 18.5 and 61.5 ± 30.9 respectively. The means of percent area of neovascularization all the experimental groups except the triamcinolone acetonide group with LMWH were significantly lower than the control group.
Conclusions::
Single dose application of combinations of triamcinolone acetonide, doxycycline and LMWH can effectively inhibit corneal neovascularization in rat models.
Keywords: neovascularization